Mushrooms, Mood and Mental Wellbeing in Gen Z Women

Inclusion Criteria:

• Identify as a woman

• Are aged 18 to 26 years at the time of giving consent (to be classified as Gen Zparticipants must have been born 1997-2013)

• Rate themselves as stressed and/or anxious

• Be a native speaker of English or fluent in English

Exclusion Criteria:

• Have any pre-existing medical condition/illness which will impact taking part in thestudy. There may be other, unforeseen, exceptions and these will be considered on acase-by-case basis; i.e. participants may be allowed to progress to screening ifthey have a condition/illness which would not interact with the active treatments orimpede performance NOTE: the explicit exceptions to this is controlled hayfever,asthma, hypo/hyperthyroidism, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, reflux,dyslexia/dyscalculia, ADHD, autism.

• Are currently taking prescription medications (NOTE: the explicit exceptions to thisare contraceptive treatments for female participants, and those taken 'as needed' inthe treatment of asthma and hay fever. There may be other instances of medicationuse which, where no interaction with the active treatments is likely, and whichwould not be expected to have any impact on brain function, participants may be ableto progress to screening). Within this trial medication for diagnosed neurologicalconditions (e.g. ADHD) will be allowed as long as medication has been taken for aminimum of 3 months and will be taken consistently throughout the trial period.

• Have relevant food allergies/ intolerances/ sensitivities

• Excessive caffeine intake (> 500 mg per day)

• Have taken dietary supplements e.g. Vitamins, omega 3 fish oils etc. in the last 4weeks (Note: participation is possible following a 4 week supplement washout priorto participating and for the duration of the study on the proviso that thesupplements they are taken are out of choice and not medically prescribed oradvised. NOTE - Vitamin D and iron supplements are allowed for this trial if theyhave been advised by GP to increase levels to a normal range and have been taken forat least 4 weeks consistently and will be taken consistently throughout the trial.

• Are pregnant, seeking to become pregnant or lactating

• Have taken antibiotics within the past 4 weeks

• Are currently participating in other clinical or nutrition intervention studies, orhave done so in the past 4 weeks

• Has been diagnosed with/ undergoing treatment for alcohol or drug abuse in the last 12 months

• Have been diagnosed with/ undergoing treatment for a psychiatric disorder in thelast 12 months (this includes medically diagnosed anxiety and depression)

• Suffer from frequent migraines that require medication (more than or equal to 1 permonth)

• Sleep disorders or are taking sleep aid medication

• Have any known active infections

• Will be non-compliant with treatment consumption